Improvised protocol for quantitative determination of crude fat in fish feeds

Abstract

The efficacy of formulated feeds in successful aquariculture depends on its proper proximate components which include proteins (amino acids), lipids (fats, oils, fatty acids), carbohydrates (sugars, starch), vitamins, minerals, water and other supplementary additive such as probiotics. Estimation of the oil content is essential for assessing the quality of the formulated feeds meeting their nutritional values. Presently employed methods for quantifying crude fat in feedstuffs require solvent extraction, acid hydrolysis and inconvenient for the farmer community. So, the present investigation deals with designing a basic protocol to quantify the total fat in fish feed using Diethyl ether as a solvent which can be employed at wide range of temperatures however the moisture content of the feed should be around 12%.